Thomas. R. Morris

B.A., International Relations, James Madison College, Michigan State University. J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1986. Practice concentrated in bankruptcy, commercial law, business law, workouts, real estate and complex situations.

• Free Consultation
  The depth and duration of the free consultation depends upon the nature and scope of the potential engagement.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Standard hourly rate is $350.

Michigan

Since 1986

6th Circuit

Since 1986

member

Morris & Morris Attorneys, P.L.L.C.

2021 - Current

member

Silverman & Morris, P.L.L.C.

2003 - 2021

shareholder

Shefferly, Silverman & Morris

1990 - 2003

attorney

Schlussel, Lifton

1985 - 1989

University of Michigan Law School

J.D.

1983 - 1986

Michigan State University

B.A. | international relations

1978 - 1982

James Madison College

listing 2008 to present

Superlawyers

Creditor/Debtors Rights Committee, Business Law Section, State Bar of Michigan

member

2008 - Current

American Bankruptcy Institute

member

1996 - Current

Activities: Occasional lecturer.

State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, Creditor/Debtor Rights Committee

member

1987 - Current

Business Law Section Council

member

2009 - 2015

The Michigan Exemption Initiative

Michigan Business Law Journal

July, 2011

The History and Futrure of Michigan Debtor Exemptions

Michigan Business Law Journal

July, 2010

Representing Small Business Debtors in Bankruptcy

ICLE

2009

The Discharge of "Trustee" Debts: Defining the Term "Fiduciary Capacity" under Bankruptcy Code section 523(a)(4)

Michigan Business Law Journal

March, 2008

Judgment Liens Against Real Property: H.B. 4941 Proposes Major Changes

Michigan Real Property Review

June, 2000

Individual Chapter 11 Reorganizations, ABI Central States conference, Traverse City, Michigan

June 14, 2013

American Bankruptcy Institute

moderator and speaker

Q. Dealership driving my car got windshield damaged by rock. Whose insurance should make the claim?

April 18, 2025

A: The dealer was a bailee required to to use ordinary care. Unless the dealer was negligent, and it does not sound like there is negligence by the dealer, the loss is yours and you should contact your insurance company.

This information is provided for discussion and does not constitute legal advice.

Q. Is it legal for a mortgage company to sell a house without informing the deed holder?

April 16, 2025

A: I think that you misunderstand what happened. It sounds to me like the property went to foreclosure sale, the mortgage holder purchased a sheriff's deed at the sale by "bidding in" the debt, the redemption period expired, and the mortgage holder became the absolute owner of the property. At that point, the former mortgage holder could sell the property without informing you.

A foreclosing mortgage holder is required to post notice of the sale on the property, and advertise the sale. This might not have resulted in you becoming aware of the sale. Federal regulations also require some mortgage holders to pursue "loss mitigation" by contacting the borrower to try to resolve the default. With the borrower having died, that could not happen. Whether the mortgage holder was required to try to track down the survivor, I am not sure, but I do not think so.

I read Mr. Soble's answer after typing mine, but I agree with him. ... Read More

Q. Is it legal for a NFP CEO to transfer funds to their own for-profit without board approval in MI?

April 14, 2025

A: The transaction is questionable. We would need to review the company's articles and bylaws to identify the steps necessary to authorize such a payment, and we would need to review documentation of the payment to assess compliance with the articles and bylaws. Another issue is whether this is an "excess benefit transaction", which is the term used by the Internal Revenue Service to describe a payment or transfer by a non-profit in excess of the benefit provided to the non-profit.

Miller v. Wylie

US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit